Paradox Rift

Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Paradox Rift is an award-winning 4pc extreme metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Blending sounds from death metal, grindcore, progressive metal and more. Formed in 2019 the band has shared the stage with legendary bands like Deicide, Kataklysm, Enterprise Earth, Inhuman Condition and countless others.
Luke Weeks- Vocals, Eric Burrington- Drums, Alijosa Covic- Bass, Preston Lund- Guitar

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Our style could be described as heavy but spastic. You never know where a song will go and what territory the music will cross into. We love mixing it up and you will hear that in our upcoming new album ENSNARED that releases on May 10, 2024!
We’ve been influenced by countless bands over the years but Meshuggah, BTBAM, Voivod, Daughters, SYNT, Fear Factory, Acacia Strain, Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Deicide to name a few.

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
Because we offer something that they have never heard before. But at the same time it’s something they can completely relate to. Our style of music is very dynamic, versatile and full of surprises for fans of all metal genres.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Our first release was our self-titled EP back in 2019. It picked up some momentum… but not till later on after it’s release. After that we dropped a 2 song demo in April 2022 entitled “Dismembered by Dogs” and threw a huge release show in our hometown. We gave out around 100 FREE “doggie bags” to our fans that contained our demo on CD along with stickers, buttons and a band logo patch. Quickly after the DBD demo release Paradox Rift was announced as winner of the Best Band Award at the CLE Music Awards. And nominated again in 2023.

Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
The Cleveland metal scene is currently thriving. The city currently has more local metal bands than almost any other city in the USA. Also, show attendance is higher than ever for local metal acts. Which also makes it very competitive between other bands. Paradox Rift had to work extremely hard to win over their scene, performing at over 40 Ohio gigs in a single year to make their presence known. We have shared the stage with amazing bands like Deicide, Kataklysm, Pyrexia, Inhuman Condition, Throne and many others that we consider legends in the genre.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Everyone should know what we are bringing to the table when they hear the insanity that we have been releasing. Our new album encompasses all of the aspects that we love about our music. There’s a mix of heavy, technical, groovy, unpredictable chaos that seems to flow all together in what we write. We aren’t sure how to explain it but we feel that we offer something truly unique.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We’re gonna see how this album is received and possibly push forward with a small tour if all goes well. A few of our members have other projects they’ll be working on for a bit. Bands named Gouted Corpse and RustFed are up and comers that include members from Paradox Rift. I guess time will tell.

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Pre-Orders for our new album are available for purchase on our Bandcamp page: paradoxrift.bandcamp.com
Music is streaming on all platforms. If ya search us on google or YouTube we recommend you enter “Paradox Rift band” to avoid the series of Pokemon cards that stole our band name.

April 2024

Vesseles – I Am a Demon

Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
This EP and project about my identity and the struggles that come with it. The EP itself is a story of transformation, self hatred and dysphoria. I am very satisfied with the final release since it really sets the tone of the project both lyrically and instrumentally.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
I always have a hard time trying to find similar artists to what I’m writing. I’d say it’s most like symphonic black metal.

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
The guitars were recorded and edited by myself. Vocals were recorded at Fang Studios with Nick Loiacono. Nick also re-amped, improved the drum programming, mixed and mastered. The most interesting thing would be the vocal booth fortress that Nick built for Adam. He even added some red lighting and turned off the rest of the lights for atmosphere. I think that really added to the headspace Adam was able to attain with his vocal work. Otherwise, recording for me isn’t usually too eventful, sadly.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
The cover is very straight forward with the name “I Am a Demon”. Since this entire EP is about exactly that, it made no sense to do anything other than just myself. It’s a very clear start to the project.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
This EP is meant to set the groundwork for future releases and kick start playing local shows. There are already plans for another release sooner rather than later.

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
Nothing too special beyond the digipak.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
I am working with a PR company as well as promoting on social media and YouTube.

Where can we order it from?
https://vesseles.com

April 2024

Shred Rogers – The Circle

Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
My first album as Shred Rogers is “The Circle” which is a family-friendly metal record of 11 tracks.
It consists of four reimagined children’s songs/nursery rhymes, five instrumental pieces inspired by deep topics/feelings/tributes to people in my life, and two songs that act as an intro and outro to the album.
I am very happy with how the album turned out!

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sounds like anything we might have heard before?
The music is a mixture of blackened thrash with keyboards and of a progressive nature.
My biggest influences are classic Metallica, Pantera, Dimmu Borgir, Abbath and Dream Theater.
I’d say some of the songs have moments reminiscent of these bands.

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
I recorded the album in my home studio in Three Rivers, MI with mixing/mastering done by Tommie Bonajo at Tomster Studios in the Netherlands.
It took me about two years to write/record the album.
Many of the ideas of the songs have lived in my head for over ten years.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
The cover is a painting that I commissioned and then placed into an AI system to beef it up w/ the otherworldly elements.
The album art is very much meant to represent not only the album title, but the variety of the music within.
Most of the music on “The Circle” is instrumental and the lyrics are either nursery rhyme lyrics or in the case of “An Ode To Cats,” the word “Meow” over and over, hahaha.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
I am hopeful that people find my music and not only headbang to it but find some genuine excitement and joy from the experience.
My aims are to record inspirational “Shred Talks” videos as well as play-throughs of the songs for viewer enjoyment.
As I write more music, I plan to also write/produce comic books.

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
The album is in digital format on all of the major streaming platforms, as well as a CD digipack version available here: https://shredrogers.bandcamp.com/album/the-circle
There are currently less than 300 physical CD copies available.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
I have been and will be promoting this release on Facebook, Instagram, Tim-Tok, YouTube and via wonderful online and print zines and sites such as Pest Webzine! \m/ \m/

Where can we order it from?
You can access the album digitally and purchase copies at links via my LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/shredrogers

April 2024

Greh

Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
GREH was founded in 2022 as a one-man band and has consisted of three members since 2023, all of whom share a passion for death doom metal. Each member brings their unique musical influences and experiences to the band, resulting in our unique sound.

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Our style is a mixture of death and doom metal, with influences of black metal. We strive to create heavy, atmospheric music that is both emotional and powerful.

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
Our music offers a unique blend of death and doom metal that will appeal to both long-standing fans of the genre and newcomers. Each song is a carefully curated musical experience that takes the listener on a journey through dark, atmospheric soundscapes.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
So far we have released one album. Reaction from audiences and media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many complimentary reviews for our unique sound and musical creativity.

Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
Yes, we also play live and have played at various locations all over Germany. Our live shows are intense and atmospheric, and we are always excited to share our music with our audiences.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
GREH is a band dedicated to creating high quality Death Doom Metal. We are passionate, committed and constantly striving to develop our music. We believe our unique sound and creative vision make us an interesting choice for any label or promoter.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We plan to continue writing and recording new music and hope to release a new album in the near future. We also plan to play more live shows and possibly do a tour of Europe.

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our music is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Physical copies of our albums and merchandise can be purchased on our Bandcamp page or at our live shows.
https://linktr.ee/greh

March 2024

Radhost – V temnotách Jesenických hvozdů

Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How happy are you with the final release?
The new album “In the Darkness of Jeseníky woods” contains 9 songs and for the first time it is musically pure black metal… It all came about spontaneously when I was on vacation in the Jeseníky Mountains in the summer of 2023 and the local region and mountains “whispered” inspiration to me. Lyrics, for which I was also inspired by the mountains themselves, as well as books about the mystery of this region. The album as a whole is about the highest Moravian mountains, which are called Jeseníky (and which I really love).
The sound side of the album is the best I’ve ever had, of course in underground, so personally I’m very satisfied.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
Raw gloomy black metal…. Yes, there are changes. After a long trial, I achieved a “dirty” underground black metal sound like from the 90s. I’m not a fan of UG bands that have a beautiful smooth sound. I grew up on old heavy and thrash metal bands, I like the sound of old black metal bands like Burzum or Darkthrone and it’s nice to go back in time from this world full of chaos, at least in this musical way, artifice, perfection…

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
I worked on the album for 3 months. I recorded the drums in Austria in my former home studio, and I recorded the rest of the instruments in my new home studio in Moravia. What is certainly interesting is that I did not plan this album at all, it was born completely spontaneously and I recorded the album in the shortest time in the history of Radhost. Everything went spontaneously and well.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
Yes, I do the processes of recording albums completely differently than most bands. First, I will write the lyrics, I will design the album cover, I make the necessary adjustments, and if it agrees with my idea, I add the name of the album, and then the music itself. According to the atmosphere evoked by the cover and the lyrics, I then have ideas in my head about how the album will sound. First, I record the drums and then the guitars, bass, keys, vocals… I don’t have anything planned in advance, I give everything a free run… The lyrics on the new album are full of misanthropy, about the nothingness of man against the forest monsters and forces of nature, where there is no place for faith or God, about the darkness of the forest and the demons of the swamps, about the beauty of the local region, the two faces of the mountains (in summer the face is friendly and in winter it is merciless and cruel). For example, the song “Das Königreich aus hohen Bergen und tiefen Wäldern” (A Kingdom of high Mountains and deep Forests) is in the German language and is about how cruelly these mountains can punish those who dare not respect them, and how they can reward those who will leave their pride and arrogance… In the 17th century, the largest and most cruel witch trials in the history of my country were also held in this region. The song is dedicated to the times when the Czech and German-speaking population lived here peacefully, which was later destroyed by both world wars… The final song “The Last Punishment” is about how conceited and moronic human civilization will destroy itself with the help of nuclear weapons, his greed, and stupidity… On the previous albums, there were always more pagan elements, or elements of doom, heavy, thrash, or death metal. The previous album “Moravian Resistentia” was my first patriotic album, for example, in the song “Meán Geimridh” a female vocal was incorporated for the first time, and as a bonus song there was an acoustic pagan/folk song “The Power of the Pagan Gods”. Every Radhost album is completely different, I try to use new techniques, tune the guitars differently every time, I use other guitars, 4 or 6 string bass… It’s according to my inner mood but now the band has transformed into Black metal only. I’m already starting to work on the next album “Dark Powers of Ancient Times”, which will be the darkest and heaviest album from Radhost.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
I don’t expect anything special, I make music from the heart and for joy, not for profit or to be famous, of course if someone supports it by buying a CD, I will be happy. The goal is definitely to continue doing what I enjoy, to spread my message through music, improve in playing and recording…

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
I have the CD made in the form of a digipack, booklet, texts in Czech and English. I’m not a fan of online music, I collect cassettes, CDs, vinyl, I love physical music carriers. I’m old fashioned but that doesn’t bother me haha… I’ll do a limited amount of CDs, it’s not worth doing a large amount for an unknown underground band.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
I am not with any music label, so I have to take care of everything myself. I will promote the album on my YouTube channel @RADHOSTOFFICIAL band FB profile and on my personal FB profile.

Where can we order it from?
The CD will be available for purchase at my email infernathor@seznam.cz or on the Radhost Facebook profile. Thank you very much for the space for the interview and if anyone is interested in supporting the underground band, it will be great!

March 2024

Hartlight – As Above, So Below

Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
Noémie Marie (Vocals and Lyrics) : We are proud to release our first album “As Above, So Below” on March 15, 2024.
We seek to share with people the power of human evolution through psychological, philosophical and mystical statements, including alchemy and esotericism, and the beauty of musical craftsmanship that sets the stage for introspection and spontaneous intuition.
« As Above, So Below », the first track, invites you to enter the mysterious writings of the Emerald Tablets, mythically written by Hermes Trismegistus.
« That which Stagnates is a Liar » talks about the introspection necessary for happiness and its many obstacles, such as the many lies disseminated in our paradigms.
« The Land of the Star » tells the story of the alchemists’ journey to Compostelle. It’s a pilgrimage to the Black Work, the death of what must disappear to reveal oneself and it is also the path to find the Prima Materia where the land is ending.
« Bound to Eternity » is a poetic ode to the alchemical processes that reveal and fix what is immortal in living beings and matter.
« Let the Fangs Bite » is a cry from the bottom of our hearts to assert ourselves, to find the courage to act or react for ourselves, because no one else can take our place in this solitude.
« The Garden in the Heart » is a song of love, when two people recognize each other and join forces in the face of the world’s madness, while remaining united.
« And Nature Unfolds Once Again » reminds us that we are not in nature, we are nature. And it’s about recognizing how society uses certain aspects of our nature to turn us into robots, and the power of thought linked to the heart is our most precious weapon.
« All Life begins in the Dark » is a cry to digest the dross that comes from our ancestors by acting on matter to act on our spirit.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sounds like anything we might have heard before?
Noémie : These themes inspire in our music gothic atmospheres of melancholy, contemplation and the poetic mystery of the natural cycle of literal or psychological life and death. The evolution of thought and emotion can take time to unfold in music, perhaps as an interpretation of our progressive influences. It’s a way of expressing what we want to say with a rich diversity of sounds, textures and rhythms. Djent riffs, power and heavy refrains, orchestral instrumentation and ethnic instruments allow us to exult in all facets of what we love about metal and what we go through in our lyrics.
We’ve created a balance between symphonic, gothic, prog, heavy and power influences, all of which I believe serve the purpose. We want to use genres as expressive engines rather than categorizations.

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
We recorded everything at home, with our own equipment. The album was written, composed, recorded and mixed in 3 weeks. When inspiration strikes, we go into retreat and we unintentionally shifted our bedtimes to 7am. We got up when the sun went down and worked all night long.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
Noémie : This is our logo, the eight-pointed star, symbolizing among other things the perfection of Mercury, Sulfur and Salt in matter, and the rose, symbolizing the secret of alchemy revealed to those who seek. The H stands for HARTLIGHT, of course, but also for Hermes Trismegistus, revealing the purification process that takes place in matter and in the human being.
Our name itself is a metaphor of the stone that is pierced by the light to become the philosophical stone. A hart is one of the symbols of the « Prima Materia », melted in the fire. Alchemy uses a lot of metaphors because the secret must be revealed to those who want to discover it. Indeed, if you give to someone a solution, he may never use it. He needs to follow a path in his head and in his body to achieve knowledge. Secondly, a human needs poetry in his life. And finally, even if you don’t know alchemy, the pictures and the ambiance may drive you into a certain mood, making you more receptive to intuition. Magic is everywhere when you’re in the truth of your soul.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
Noémie : We want to share our music with people, find our place into the metal world and having the pleasure to start to do live shows and meet our public.

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
The pre-orders for our album and our t-shirts are open. We’re going to release the album also on all streaming platforms. The physical version has been pressed at a hundred of copies.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
Noémie : We have a big chance to work with Markus from MetalMessage, who does a true quality service in this world of vipers. We share some videos and shorts on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Live shows and very certainly a music video are planned.

Where can we order it from?
You can order it on Bandcamp.
Thank you very much Pest Webzine for this interview and thank you dear metalheads for taking time to read it. Maybe see you soon !
https://www.youtube.com/@hartlight
https://www.tiktok.com/@hartlightband
https://www.facebook.com/hartlightband
https://www.instagram.com/hartlight_music/

February 2024

Omnivide

Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Our band formed in 2020 after an Opeth Tribute band that 3 of our current members were in dissolved. Prior to this, some of our members had also played together in local death metal bands such as Dischord and Malixiria. We wanted to write some progressive metal, so we went about writing songs and defining our sound, all while learning how to properly record and produce ourselves to achieve the sound that we wanted on our first album. We played our first show in the summer of 2022 and have been very active live ever since, and we finished recording our first album in February 2023.

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
We’re a blend of our collective influences, which amounts to progressive death metal with symphonic elements for the most part. We’re inspired by the great bands that have certain aspects of the same kind of music that we aspire to write. Bands such as Obscura, Wintersun, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Opeth just to name a few.

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
We try to offer a different listening experience than anything we’ve heard before… we try not to sound like anyone else, so if a metalhead is looking for a fresh listen and is into prog, death and symphonic metal, they should give us a listen and see for themselves.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
So far we’ve only released our first single Holy Killer just yesterday (January 16th) as a premiere on CirclePitTV on Youtube. So far we’ve had great comments on the video and from our fans, but it’s still too early to gauge the overall reaction.

Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
We try to play as many shows as we can. We played our first show in the summer of 2022 and have since played around 15 shows all over the Maritimes. In April we have a tour of Quebec an Ontario planned to get our name out there.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
They should know that the intention behind our music is to provide a complete musical experience that ranges from the most brutal and heavy sections, to clean and beautiful passages, all blending together to create contrasts that give the music emotional weight and meaning. We try to write music that sounds unique although our influences certainly show to some extent, but we really consciously try to innovate and not repeat ourselves. We’re also very serious and committed to this band, and we’re trying to take it as far as we can in every way.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We’ll be releasing two more singles before our album release on March 22, and after that, we’re going to tour in Ontario and Quebec as previously mentioned. From there onward we’re going to focus on writing our second album and surpassing ourselves as musicians while looking for opportunities to play bigger and better shows everywhere that we can!

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our first single is streaming on all platforms as of Friday, January 19th, and a Lyric Video is up on Youtube. We sell all our merch on Bandcamp, where pre-orders for our album and some merch are currently available.
https://www.youtube.com/@Omnivide/featured
https://omnivide.bandcamp.com/
Social Media/Website links:
https://www.facebook.com/OmnivideBand
https://www.instagram.com/omnivide_band/
https://omnivide.ca/

February 2024

Hyperboreus

Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Hyperboreus was originally founded in 2009. Between 2010 and 2012 band gave few dozens of concerts. After that it was transformed into the studio project, which finally released it’s debut album “Fighting with god” in 2021. Throughout this all time band got numerous members came in and out with always remaining founding member Avalanche. Anyways, now band contains two members: Avalanche (vox, strings) and Dreamlord (drums).

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
A big mixture of technical death metal, progressive death metal and djent/math metal with some avant-garde influences. It’s always hard to strictly categorize by genre even each song. Because many song’s elements can echo with different genres.
Influences: Death, Gorguts, Meshuggah

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
Simply put: for us to release more music. So as for other musicians.
We’re always glad to see fans support.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Two one song demos in 2011 and 2012, LP “Fighting with god” in 2021, single “Exaggerate” in 2023.
Album was received good by most reviewed us media and public.
New single performs okay, but we’re looking forward for the next records. They’re gonna be lit.

Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
We used to play live in 2010-2012. Now we intend to resume live shows in the near future with the new people aboard.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Always trying to reach new musical heights and always trying to be as consistent as we can.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
Recording and releasing new singles and albums. Hoping to release a new LP this year. It will have brand new material with new sound and cool music ideas.
Also, we’re seeking a label to work with for a new releaes, so if you know one just let us know.

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our songs can be reached on all music platforms, including Spotify.
Also, you can buy our staff through our Bandcamp page.

January 2024

Into The Deep – Blackfin

Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
‘Blackfin’ is our new EP with 6 songs. The songs cover ideas of frustration, loss, pain, longing, love, mutated space sharks, shark finning, and nothingness. These songs were recorded during the pandemic, so that definitely added to some of the lyrical content, but a twisted perspective also helped. It was a strange time to navigate and it still is.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
Our music does not remind me of any band in particular. It is more an amalgamation of our 3 different musical influences. We just want the songs to feel like they are alive, moving and shifting gears in a way that builds tension and release. The 3 of us were in a progressive metal/ rock band ‘Pivot’ prior to forming this band, so we wanted to go for a more straight ahead and heavier sound with our new Into the Deep release of ‘Blackfin’. Here are some of the bands that we all like a lot, so there is probably a good mix of this: Faith No More, Refused, Opeth, Rush, Slayer, and The Police.

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
We recorded the album in our practice space. We spent 3-4 months soundproofing, purchasing microphones and recording gear, and adjusting the microphones and configuring the new gear. We had never recorded ourselves like this before, so it was a learning process that used a lot of time. Phil (drummer) had a vocal booth in his apartment that he needed to move, so that worked out perfectly! It was difficult recording during the NC summer heat, as it gets super hot and humid in a vocal booth in a storage unit. Lots of hot and sweaty takes.
We spent a lot of time experimenting with vocal takes since we had the luxury of having a vocal booth available at all times. This is also the first time that any of us have done any ‘clean’ singing like in the song ‘Seaweed’. We only recorded on our typical practice nights, which is twice a week for about 2 hours, so the recording took about a year.
I recorded bass at home on my own time, and Eric and Phil would help critique my takes until we were all happy. We have about 20 more songs ready to go, and are already working on the next batch. Should be much faster this time! It is nice to have the luxury of time when recording so you don’t feel rushed. We did not use any sound replacement or quantizing on our takes. We really wanted to create a ‘live’ sounding record. Jamie King mixed and mastered the album for us, and we are always extremely happy with his work.

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
The cover artwork for Blackfin is meant to represent a creature that you can see is burned out when it rises. You can tell by the smoke coming off of it, almost like a warning sign of sorts. There are people that are burned out on society and let their ideals dictate their interactions with others, often in a negative way. They have a Blackfin coming from them… burnt, smoking, and ugly.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
We only want to share our creations with others that want or need to hear it. We are not a touring band, and we only do this because it is what makes us all happy, and gives the 3 of us good reason to hang out weekly decades into our friendship. Just 3 friends making music we want to hear, no objectives.

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
We are currently only releasing in digital format until there is a demand for physical products. We would like to release our songs on vinyl eventually.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
We will be promoting our album digitally, on all the regular places.
We are currently working on a live set, and will book shows sometime in the future.

Where can we order it from?
Official Website:
www.itdband.com
www.divemetal.com
Bandcamp: itdband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/divemetal
Instagram: www.instagram.com/itdband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/divemetal
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/divemetal
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@divemetal
ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/itdband
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@itdband
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6rs9CbLiMZOxOAq7O1cXg6
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/into-the-deep/1685278226.
iTunes Store: https://music.apple.com/us/album/blackfin-ep/1719119684
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0B2V19G7D/into-the-deep
Youtube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCwdm49Jvv5DkrxsfETusKwg
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/album/66428392
Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/AnODZjJXBFb

January 2024

Smorrah

Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
We are SMORRAH from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, an old mining town in the Ruhr area of?? Germany, not far from the Dutch border. Our city is known for the legendary thrash metal band SODOM and borders the city of Essen, where Kreator and Darkness come from. They’re all pioneering bands when it comes to German thrash metal. Pumper and I founded our very first band in November 2003 and we started with old school punk songs in German. In a relatively short time, our sound developed into metal and hardcore music and is still the foundation of our musical work today. Our old band played together until 2011 and then broke up. In the summer of 2016 we wanted to do something new again. After a short period of self-discovery, Kraje joined the band in spring 2017 and we founded SMORRAH. We are a band of friends who have all known each other for about 20 years and we have been making music together for about the same amount of time.

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
To be honest, we can’t really define our musical style. What is always very present is our passion for hard, fast and groovy parts that make the listener mosh like there is no tomorrow. Over the years, melodic influences have also been added naturally and we never commit to a particular direction. Without a doubt, thrash metal, death metal, old school hardcore punk and groove metal make up our overall sound. But there’s so much more to it, simply because each of us listens to so much other metal and different music in general.

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
First of all, it doesn’t really matter to us whether they buy our music or not. These days, so many music fans consume their favorite bands online and the artists often only receive a ridiculous share of the digital revenue. You don’t have a lot of money and still listen to our music somewhere? Cool! We’re glad you like our music! If you buy our physical records and support our work, ourselves and our partners, that’s even better! Thank you! Times have changed and they always will. Why should we condemn people who spend little or no money on our music outside of our concerts? Of course it is a worrying development in the music industry, especially for the artists. But if you really spend your hard-earned money on our upcoming album, you can be sure that you will get honest music and songs composed with heart and passion. We didn’t invent anything new, but more importantly for us as a band, we didn’t try to copy anything old. And that’s for sure!

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
A few demo songs, a live recording from a concert and a single. However, the reviews were mostly positive. We hope this will also be the case with our upcoming album “Welcome To Your Nightmare” that will be released on February 23, 2024 via Sick Taste Records.

Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
Yes, and we really enjoy playing live. We believe we can still go a step further when we are on stage. We’ve had some great opportunities in the past, including shows with well-known bands from the scene. There are also a few gigs coming up again in 2024, for example our album release show with our friends from OLD RUINS this February.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
We always try to stay true to ourselves and don’t follow any trends or fads. This is also reflected in our sound and in our songs. That’s why you should give us a listen.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
The release of our new album, great shows and to have a good time together.

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
You can find our music online on all common music streaming platforms, at the Sick Taste Records Shop and at the Sektor12 Shop.

January 2024